#03 2018
HOUN SUN IRAHÜÑÜ (FOR ALL THE CHILDREN) WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE
Photo by: Daedra Isaacs-Haylock Jessica Mirano of Johns Hopkins University presents a drawing discussing menstrual hygiene management and factors that may impact young girls.
Menstruation is a healthy and natural part of beliefs and social myths make it difficult for both and secondary schools , school administrators, the reproductive process that begins when men and women to talk about menstruation, and parents across Belize. The objectives of girls enter puberty, the biological process leaving children and adolescents uninformed the exercise were: that marks the transition from childhood to and unpreprepared. In schools, adolescent • To investigate and understand the range adulthood (UNICEF, 2015). However, millions girls often face the discomfort of having to of challenges faced by school girls during of adolescent girls and women across the manage their menstrual hygiene throughout menstruation - as well as the determinants world are denied their right to health and the day in toilets that are unclean, lack running of those challenges in rural and urban settings; dignity because they lack the right information, water, and have no doors, discreet disposal facilities and products to manage their monthly facilities, or access to sanitary products. This • To compare and contrast the varied menstrual cycle. may cause girls to miss out on educational challenges and determinants across cultural Poverty, lack of basic services, gender opportunities. contexts and identify points of intervention inequality, discriminatory social norms and that may help girls overcome these cultural taboos, all cause girls’ and women’s In Belize, much of the information on the impact challenges in schools; menstrual hygiene needs to go unmet. Girls of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on • To provide key recommendations to inform may also face stigma, teasing, harassment girls’ education has been anecdotal. This school planning; and exclusion from friends and family during is principally because the direct causes of menstruation. All of this has a range of absenteeism/drop-out are difficult to measure, • To inform the development of a ‘basic package of interventions’ and institutional negative impacts on their lives such as: more particularly at scale. There is currently not arrangements that can be implemented and limited mobility, freedom and choices; missed enough data to understand the experiences sustained at scale across cultural contexts. days of school or limited participation in of girls in Belize regarding menstruation, educational and social activities in and out of specifically in the school setting, and therefore school; social exclusion and increased risk of provide recommendations to improve health physical and sexual violence; anxiety, low self and education outcomes. To begin to address esteem and depression. this gap, UNICEF Belize and the national The topic of menstruation remains a taboo in WASH technical working group undertook a many societies, especially in the indigenous formative assessment interviewing girls and communities. Cultural practices, religious boys aged 10-14 years old in selected primary
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The preliminary findings of the assessment Many girls reported that their mothers general uncleanliness of school restrooms. were categorized into five factors: biological, treated them differently following their first Girls and boys(?) also reported poor disposal personal, interpersonal, environmental and menstruation, giving them less time to play, of sanitary pads suggesting that girls need societal. increased chores, frequent reminders of their more guidance on hygiene and safe disposal. now being “a lady and needing to be careful Sanitary pads are rarely available in schools Biological: Some girls reported chronic pain with their interaction with boys”. and the prices in stores varied from area that limited their involvement in sporting and to area with some reporting unaffordable physical activities with some experiencing Environmental factors: Findings from the products. more advanced physical symptoms suggesting study suggested much room for improvement. possible iron and foliate deficiencies. Girls reported the inaccessibility of school bathrooms as these are often locked. They Personal and interpersonal factors: Several also pointed out the lack of needed basic misconceptions were undercovered in the supplies like soap and toilet paper, and the study. Some of these were related to what foods can and can’t be eaten during the time of menstruation. Others linked menstruation and HIV/AIDs, while others centred around bathing during a menstrual period and yet more suggested that womenn and girls are demon-possessed during that period of time. As a result, many girls reported feelings of anxiety and shame associated with what is a natural biological occurrence for women and girls. Bullying and teasing as well as changed dynamics in the relationship with boys were also reported and many girls still receive incomplete or incorrect advice on menstruation. Girls reported being told that being hugged or touched by boys during their period could lead to pregnancy. While boys demonstrated some interest, their level of knowledge on menstruation is low, while girls reported boys teasing and making jokes about their periods. Photo by Daedra Isaacs-Haylock Menstrual Hygiene Validation Session
SO WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The cost of incorporating improved menstrual or urinal infections); and missed opportunity hygiene management practices for women to help parents better educate and empower and girls would be incremental but the benefit their children about adolescent development, to communities far outweighs the cost. Some menstruation and personal hygiene. of these costs include improved design of latrine facilities for women and girls to give Menstrual health and hygiene interventions them more space to manage menstrual can be a gateway for gender-transformative hygiene; provision of water supply in latrines; interventions, including sexual and placement of trash bins for safe disposal; reproductive health education and life skills hygiene awareness and sensitivity training in coaching. Such investments in adolescent schools. However, the opportunity cost of not girls’ well-being yields multiple dividends for making this additional investment could be girls and boys, for the adults and active citizens substantial and includes lower retention rates they will become and for the next generation. of adolescent girls and lost learning due to absences during menstruation; increased risk This study was undertaken with the partnership of bullying and gender-based violence; loss of several national agencies, including the of dignity and self-esteem among adolescent Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, girls and subsequent withdrawal and failure Youth, Sports & Culture, Rotary Club of Belize; to thrive; higher risk of developing infections a local consultancy firm Rights Insights and associated with poor reproductive health and an international intern Ms. Jessica Mirano an practices (e.g., scabies in the vaginal area MPH candidate from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Deborah Domingo Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education
2 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE ACTION IN BELIZE
NICEF’s commitment to Belize dates back to 1954. Environmental health, vector control, Uschool feeding and the provision of primary school textbooks and supplies were initially a part of our work in the country. The UNICEF office was established in 1981, the same year that Belize gained its independence.
Presently, UNICEF’s Country Programme in Belize focuses on national policy and programme support with the Government of Belize as well as partnerships with children, communities and other actors to achieve child-sensitive, equitable and sustainable development. The Country Programme priorities include reducing multidimensional poverty and strengthening child rights monitoring, strengthening lifelong learning, young child survival and child and adolescent well-being, and strengthening access to justice and reducing violence. As a partner in efforts to shape a Belize fit for children and women, UNICEF has supported education efforts, early childhood development, legal and institutional reform, and stronger systems for child justice and health for children and adolescents, child and adolescent participation, data management, monitoring and evaluation.
As one of the UN system partners in Belize, UNICEF supports the implementation of the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UNMSDF) that aligns the signed Country Programme Document 2017-2021, with the country’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the new National Result Framework for Children and Adolescents (the Children’s Agenda). UNICEF’s work for children is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and our work in Belize aims to ensure that Belize can achieve inclusive and sustainable development through social transformations and establishment of systems and programmes that recognize, protect and fulfil the rights of every child, particularly the most vulnerable.
PHOTO BY DAEDRA ISAACS-HAYLOCK
ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER
“Houn sun irahüñü” meaning every child, ensuring that highlight the work of UNICEF “For all the children” … The every child has a fair chance Belize implemented alongside words from the indigenous to a high quality of life. our collaboration and language of Garifuna meaning The Garifuna language was partnership with government, “for all the children” is recognized on May 18, 2001 civil society, children, the name chosen for our by UNESCO as “Masterpiece adolescents and other national newsletter. It embodies the of the Oral and Intangibles partners. mission of our organization… Heritage of Humanity”. The advocating for the rights of purpose of the newsletter is to
3 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE FROM THE DESK OF THE REPRESENTATIVE: MARKING THE MILESTONES… PRIORITIZING #FOREVERYCHILD: THE 2018 AGENDA
UNICEF’s mission statement emphasizes had gained access to improved drinking water • Are we reaching the most deprived our commitment to the most disadvantaged and the global rise in HIV prevalence had children and communities? children. For all children, and especially the been successfully halted, stabilizing one of most disadvantaged, UNICEF is mandated the worst epidemics in our generation. Yet, a • Are we confident that we are investing by the United Nations General Assembly review of the data showed that everywhere, in interventions proven to deliver results? to advocate for the protection of children’s from access to services, to quality housing, • Have we identified and addressed rights, to help meet their basic needs and to education outcomes, protection, inclusion and the underlying barriers to change and expand their opportunities to reach their full opportunities to survive and thrive, the poorest success? potential. Eight years ago, UNICEF released children and most marginalized populations the report Narrowing the Gaps to Meet the were the least likely to benefit as they were • Have we established the right partnerships and made effective use Goals, an urgent call for a stronger focus on disproportionately affected by deprivation of of innovation in strategy and use of equity to accelerate the pace of development their rights. So in the run up to the end of the technology to enable both service and achieve child survival goals. The report MDG era and the dawn of the shift towards delivery and sustainable change in noted the remarkable and life-changing SDGs and a global compact for sustainable communities? progress made for children, just 5 years before and inclusive development, the urgency in the end of the MDG era: under five mortality aiming for equity was clear and UNICEF’s • Have we provided sufficient resources had fallen by one third between 1990 and call for equity invited all people, children, – time, human resources, funding, and tools - to strengthen national 2009; net primary school enrolment had risen communities and policy to answer the basic and community systems and insure to 88 percent in the developing world; almost questions in all our actions: sustainability? all regions in the world had attained gender parity in primary education; 1.8 billion people
The Sustainable Development goals have as a pivotal focus of our work. UNICEF’s new Our work with our partners in Belize rises similarly challenged us to move from a focus Strategic Plan presents 5 key goals to be to this challenge. UNICEF’s programme of on the general to the specific, outlining more achieved in times of calm and in emergencies, support in Belize is working to strengthen than 100 specific targets to be measured and with attention to gender equality. These monitoring of the rights of children and and reported on by States in pursuit not goals will serve as a lens through which we contributing to the reduction of poverty in only of eradication of poverty and disease will assess our progress towards equity children in all its dimensions. This emphasis but achievement of social transformation, and sustainable development in the lives of on monitoring and data improvement aims to protection and optimization of human, cultural, children: improve our collective capacity to identify the environmental and technological capital and most vulnerable and track specific progress the achievement of inclusive and sustainable Goal 1: Every child survives and thrives; towards equity and inclusion for every child growth that reflects the connectedness and Goal 2: Every child learns; and in every sector. We also support promotion interdependence between people, States, our Goal 3: Every child lives in a safe and clean of lifelong learning recognizing that in Belize, natural environment and generations ahead. environment; the ability to learn is determined by effective At the end of 2017, to serve as a companion Goal 4: Every child is protected from violence and sustained investment in improved quality guide on achievement of the SDGs for children, and exploitation; and of health and life from pregnancy and through UNICEF launched a new organizational Goal 5: Every child has an equitable chance early childhood and adolescence, for all strategy that builds on this vision for equity in life; children and by respect and fulfilment of the rights of children and families and measures to secure their continued inclusion in learning. And finally, we support strengthening of measures to ensure safety and justice for children for every child. Our support and partnerships in Belize focus on strengthening of the national systems, policies, legislation and approaches for implementation through collaboration with children and communities to generate local insight.
MARKING THE MILESTONES – IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE #FOREVERYCHILD:
In 2017, we were privileged to have been part of amazing partnerships contributing to results such as the following:
UNICEF Representative Dr. Susan Kasedde, Special Envoy for Women and Children Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister Ms. Audrey Wallace and CEO in the Ministry of Health Dr. Ramon Figueroa attend UNICEF End of Year Review 2017
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Reducing Multidimensional Poverty Lifelong Safety and Justice and Monitoring the Rights of Children: Learning: for children: a) Strengthening of Children’s Advisory Bodies a) Training of ECD providers -including a) Provision of child-friendly services through (CABs) now in the 9 municipalities of Belize midwives, rovers, health educators, and free legal aid and family courts; to support the sustainable Child-Friendly preschool teachers - in Care for Child b) Development of protocols for the national Municipality initiative (SCFM); Development; diversion programme; and b) Finalization and launch of the national b) Establishment of an interagency mechanism c) In collaboration with non-governmental , Children’s Agenda for 2017-2030; to lead implementation and monitoring of psychosocial and legal support has been c) Finalization and dissemination of the Belize the national Early Child Development (ECD) provided to children and awareness has been Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) strategy. raised through community services targeting providing key data reflecting fulfilment of children, parents, and teachers focusing children’s rights. on child abuse, reporting procedures, and positive alternatives to violence including music, sports, art, & dance.
uilding on our mandate and achievements Bfrom 2017, our work with Government, civil society and youth partners in 2018 will aim to achieve the following:
• Facilitate a national dialogue around Social Protection, support the development of a National Social Protection Strategy and a national index to measure multidimensional poverty, with an emphasis on children and adolescents;
• Continue improving national and sub-national capacities to systematically collect, analyse and use disaggregated data to monitor, inform policy decisions, and report on the situation of children, including through enhancing children participation at local and national levels and Photo by Daedra Isaacs-Haylock Michel Guinand - UNICEF Social Protection Specialist addresses gathering at UNICEF End of Year Review 2017 through the use of innovations and mobile technology;
• Enhance results in health and lifelong learning of children and adolescents by consolidating support for the effective implementation and increased reach of the ECD policy, including through the Roving Caregivers programme, the implementation of parenting interventions, improvement in medical laboratories for diagnostic services in under-served rural communities, and development of an adolescent health strategy;
• Continue to increase the country capacity to promote and ensure justice and systems that enable the prevention and treatment of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. This will include quality of services by the child friendly Family Courts, promotion of positive alternatives to violence, and capacity strengthening of child protection and social workers.
For every step of the way in 2018 and certainly at the end of this year, we will ask that central question to assess our progress and impact: Through our advocacy, technical and financial support, partnerships and presence, have we made a difference for the most disadvantaged children in Belize? Looking at the work laid out for 2018 with our partners, we are confident and excited that the answer to this question will be a resounding “Yes!”
Hon. Wilfred Elrington – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Susan Kasedde – UNICEF Dr. Carol Babb – Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of His Lordship Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin and Dr. Susan Representitave, Ms. Kim Simpliss Barrow – Special Envoy for Women and Children, Ms. Audrey Wallace – Chief Executive Officer in Office of the Prime Minister and Mr. Education and Ms. Margaret Nicholas – Chief Executive Officer of Kasedde – Representative at the UNICEF End of Year Review 2017 Kerry Belisle – Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Labour, Local Government the National Committee for Families and Children attend UNICEF and Roral Development attend the UNICEF End of Year Review 2017 End of Year Review 2017
5 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE FEATURE STORY: MAKING CITIES AND TOWNS INCLUSIVE, SAFE, RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE… SUSTAINABLE CHILD FRIENDLY MUNICIPALITY INITIATIVE AND THE CHILDREN ADVISORY BODY – A TAG TEAM APPROACH TOWARD SDG #11
“Behavior displayed by children is a product of their experiences and learning. It has a meaning and function. Behavior can be modified if we can modify their experiences and environment.” -Drawn from Albert Bandura’s Social Theory of Learning
That could precisely sum up the aims and training of media on protecting children’s objectives of the Sustainable and Child Friendly rights and ethical reporting as it relates to Municipality Initiative being implemented children issues and increased education and in Belize by the Ministry of Labour, Local public advocacy campaigns that will educate Government and Rural Development (MLLGRD) children as to the harmful effects of drugs, since 2014 in nine municipalities in partnership alcohol and tobacco along with engagement with the Mayors Association, UNICEF and in gang and violent illicit activities. UNDP. “The concept behind the initiative is to create awareness and promote activities at As the gathering listened to the children, the the subnational level aimed at implementing wide eyes and broad smiles demonstrated how the United Nations Convention on the Rights impressed everyone was and underscored of the Child,” said UNICEF’s Monitoring & a realization that we often underestimate Evaluation Specialist Paulette Wade. Ms. children. The room was filled with the Wade has been the lead programme person robust banter of the adolescents and the for the initiative since its inception. encouragingly positive spirit of collegiality and competition. The SCFM and CAB provide a Through the SCFM initiative, local authorities, platform for child and adolescent volunteers civil society experts and most importantly to lead and participate in activities of clean-up Hon. Hugo Pat - Minister for Labour, Local Government, & Rural Development children and adolescents work together to campaigns around their communities, public and Hon. Patrick Faber - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture congratulates CAB President of Corozal Town Gerson define plans that respond uniquely to the advocacy targeting bullying and all forms Makwani needs of their municipality. As we celebrated of violence, and training events including the close of year three with an end of year one focused on psychosocial techniques to exhibition and meeting, the highlights were help children cope with trauma. Violence is reports, presentations and municipal project a major challenge in Belize and the MICS5 models presented by each municipal Children data indicates that children’s homes are Advisory Body. It was clear to see that the where most children in Belize first experience main objective to mobilize community actors or witness chronic violence. Over 60% of and most importantly children was being well adolescents aged 10 – 14 years of experience achieved. The presentations from the children violent discipline methods and children under were clearly centered around the main pillars the age of 5 years are more likely than any that each municipality was called to commit. other age group, to be beaten as a form of These include providing public assets that discipline while more than half of all older promote play and leisure; encouraging the children experience continuous psychological participation and expression of citizenship aggression as a form of discipline. Central in from children and adolescents; ensuring that the year’s activities was the CABs’ outreach children are provided safety and protection as they canvassed their communities for the within their communities; that communities Belize TIME OUT campaign, reaching out as provide access to health and social services peer educators and child advocates in this to support the children’s development; that campaign to end violence against children. To educational services are accessible and address the widespread violent discipline in inclusive and that the municipality promotes homes, the campaign asks adults to pledge to robust civic engagement. Additionally, the take a two-minute time out before disciplining recommendations from the CABs focused on a child violently. Across the country, the Dream Vicente – Former President of Dangriga CAB and Dorisa Perez of CAB Dangriga present their proposals for child friendly spaces in the municipality. The expanding parks and recreation spaces with members of the CABs got police officers and two girls are CAB Members of Dangriga discuss their proposals for child friendly spaces within their municipality. inclusive design so these facilities would community members to raise their hands in a be accessible for children with disabilities; commitment to promote and uphold the rights focusing on establishing programmes that of children to be free from all forms of violence,Dream Vicente – Former President of Dangriga CAB and D orisa Perez of CAB would engage at risk youths and their families; abuse and neglect. Dangriga present their proposals for child friendly spaces in the municipality
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Recommendations from the CABs for 2018 and said, “Hear me now, I have saved the views all their own. They need the continued focused on expanding park and recreation best for last… I am here at this very moment opportunity to express themselves.” spaces with inclusive design so these committing government’s financing for one facilities would be accessible for children secondary school scholarship and one tertiary The day and year ended with a tall order with disabilities; focusing on establishing education scholarship for a child from each for the next, but with the commitment of all programmes that would engage at risk Children Advisory Body.” partners, government, the Project Manager; youths and their families; training of media the MLLGRD, UNICEF, UNDP and the Mayors on protecting children’s rights and ethical In addition, he committed to donating three Association for the continuation of the reporting as it relates to children issues and IPads to each CAB to enable the CAB network programme and a reiterated commitment increased education and public advocacy to communicate and to do their work in each to the guarantees enshrined in the SCFM campaigns that will educate children as to the municipality more efficiently. He remarked initiative. #ForEveryChild – an opportunity to harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco that the technological gift will aid the children influence decision making; a space to express along with engagement in gang and violent by enhancing their skills in utilizing technology their views; the chance to participate fully in illicit activities. in all their spheres of engagement. family and community life; the provision of safe drinking water, basic social services for health Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reacting to the announcement on the and education; freedom from exploitation and Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. donation, the Project Manager for the SCFM violence; green spaces to play and recreate Patrick Faber was awe-inspired by the initiative in the MLLGRD smiled broadly and and respect for cultural, religious and personal children. After engaging in a vigorous said, “You bet I will be following up on that. differences and freedoms. discussion with them about governance and Our children deserve that.” She has often policies, particularly about the relevance commented on how fulfilling her job is and of our education system, he conceded that what a pleasure it is to work with the children. indeed while sounding cliché, children are She never fails to remind everyone, “You just our future. He enthusiastically acquiesced can’t underestimate children. They are very to a special request from one of the youths intelligent, understand the issues and have
Jazahra Broaster – Bze City CAB Member, Neveah Ramos – Vice President CAB Belmopan, Iliana Crus – President CAB Punta Gorda Town and Avidani Ramclam – Member of CAB Punta Gorda Town. CAB Members from municipalities enjoy the time shared together.
San Pedro Town CAB presents a model for a proposed a child friendly space in their Aimee Wade of the Benque Viejo CAB makes her presentation on behalf of her municipality municipality
For more information on the Sustainable Child Friendly Municipality Initiative visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scfm.belize/ or http://bytdevelopment.com/childfriendlycities/what-is-the-child-friendly-cities-initiative/
7 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE CHILDREN SPEAK OUT:
DANCING DAISY: A STORY OF RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH
Young, gifted and beautiful, this stellar dancer loses herself in the rhythm of the music. She forgets, if only for the moment, the trauma that occasionally jars at her even as she tries to attain her life goal of becoming like Oprah. She has dreams of helping children and offering support she never experienced. To protect her identity, we will call her Dancing Daisy. Her heart-wrenching story is one of rejection dating back to her first placement with a foster home in Belize City. Her rights as a child to be free from all forms of violence, abuse and neglect as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child have been denied repeatedly.
“My mom is not dead, but it’s just like I don’t have a mom!” Dancing Daisy lamented. She says that nothing can make her love her mom, who once claimed Daisy was demon-possessed and wanted to injure her with a machete. Today, Dancing Daisy has no relationship with her biological parents. Her dad had disowned her at birth, and a rift between her parents over her paternity led to a family breakdown that resulted in her ending up in the foster care system, where she has remained for most of her life.
Hardships confronted her during her years at the foster homes as well as at those times when she had returned to live with her family. Even so, she wants to take the lessons learned from all those experiences to help other children like her. Her dreams are ambitious. Dancing Daisy speaks of becoming an athlete, model and comedian, but also dreams of being like Oprah. Strong mentorship is key to giving Dancing Daisy a real chance at life, as she strives build resiliency. For the past 3 years, she has had a mentor who understands her plight and recognizes her special qualities. The mentor sees this promising youth as self-sufficient, very street savvy, intelligent and expressive. She believes that since Dancing Daisy has lived through the Department of Human Services’ programs she could be a key resource in shaping the changes necessary to strengthen the Department’s ability to cater to the needs of children like her.
Miraculously though it is, Dancing Daisy remains undefined by her painful past. She is today an advocate for change in the community where she lives, works and attends online school. She holds parents and political leaders accountable for the plight of marginalized youth, who sometimes end up falling into a life of crime. She emphasizes that leaders need to create jobs for those who are willing to work.
“I was supposed to have been dead by now,” she said, recounting her narrow escapes from danger, including a fire at the Youth Hostel. Unhappy with the cards life has dealt her, Dancing Daisy is taking the lemons that have soured her childhood experiences and turning them into lemonade. As she tries to identify that path that will take her to realizing her dreams, this visionary youth works in the food industry, helping to prepare local fast food, such as ‘garnaches’ – fried corn tortillas topped with beans, cheese and vegetables – for sale. When she is not working, she enjoys hobbies such as basketball.
Dancing Daisy is one of the youths who has participated in the Children Advisory Body under the Sustainable Child Friend Municipalities initiative. The Sustainable Child- Friendly Municipalities Initiative – supported by UNICEF and UNDP in partnership with the Government of Belize – was launched back in 2014 to make cities and towns across Belize safer for children. It provides a platform for children like Dancing Daisy to participate in decision-making processes that will help drive child-centred change and promote child protection programs that keep youth at the heart of their mission. It is the first initiative of its kind in Belize to allow children to participate in decision-making on sustainable child- friendly policies and related programs to address their needs and concerns.
8 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE STILL STRONGLY ANCHORED ON THE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE… GLOBALLY NEW LEADERSHIP FOR UNICEF - INTRODUCING THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
n January 1st, 2018, UNICEF welcomed its 7th Executive Director Ms. OHenrietta Fore brings to the role more than four decades of private and public sector leadership experience.
“I am honored to be joining such a remarkable organization, which I have known and admired for many years, and look forward to continuing UNICEF’s work to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them realize their potential,” Ms. Fore said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Ms. Fore as UNICEF Executive Director after consultation with UNICEF’s governing board. Prior to taking up this appointment, Ms. Fore served as Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Holsman International, a manufacturing and investment company. From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Fore, an American national, served as both the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and as Director of United States Foreign Assistance in the U.S. State Department. From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Fore was Under Secretary of State for Management, the Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Department of State. Prior to that, she was the 37th Director of the United States Mint, a position she held from 2001 to 2005. Earlier in her career, at USAID, she was appointed as Assistant Administrator for Asia and Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise (1989-1993). She also served on the Boards of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
In addition to her Government service, Ms. Fore has had leadership roles in a number of organizations in civil society, including being Global Co-Chair of the Asia Society, and associations with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Aspen Institute, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, and the Center for Global Development. She has also had leadership roles in the corporate sector, serving on the boards of a number of U.S. and international public corporations, and being active in promoting best practices in the corporate sector – including as Co-Chair of Women Corporate Directors.
Ms. Fore has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wellesley College and a Master of Science in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She is married and has four children. Ms. Henrietta Fore succeeds Mr. Anthony Lake who left office on 31st December, 2017 after serving UNICEF for seven years in that post.
9 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE HEALTH OF THE MOST VULNERABLE A NEW MEDICAL LABORATORY FOR SOUTHERN REGIONAL HOSPITAL – MEETING THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF 75,000
PHOTO BY DAEDRA ISAACS-HAYLOCK PHOTO BY DAEDRA ISAACS-HAYLOCK Dr. Gerahldine Morazan - Min. of Health and Mr. Michel Guinand review plans for the Dangriga Laboratory. Ms. Desiree Joseph reviews lab tests with Dangriga Lab Technician
ny day at the Southern Regional Hospital is a busy day… narrow for the Hospital Dr. Aimee Hunter explained the renovations being Ahallways teeming with people… men, women and children. On done will accommodate the office space for the Supervisor of the this day, it was especially busy as a team of international doctors and Laboratory, improve the spacing and flow for the efficient management medical officers were visiting offering services to the people. That is of the laboratory services, house the current and newly acquired lab normal for Belize. For a country with limited financial resources and often machines but also critically upgrade the air conditioning cooling system challenged human resources, these partnerships with international for the laboratory. hospitals and medical officers are most welcomed. The value of the services our public health facilities can never be overstated. In this “In the current laboratory, some machines must be turned off, so they do not instance, considering the southern regional medical facility supports over heat,” explained Dr. Hunter an explanation supported by Laboratory two districts with a population of 75,000 people, many migrant, mobile, Supervisor Ms. Desiree Joseph. It was explained that while the project indigenous and highly vulnerable. The hallways teeming with people does not fund the air-conditioning system, the procurement with was matched by the excitement of the administrative and laboratory national counterpart funds sees to the preservation of the equipment teams. Excitement because the modifications and renovations for a and the conditions necessary for laboratory services. A 19-year new laboratory were taking shape and it was literally just a matter of veteran, although short in stature, Ms. Joseph has been the giant at the weeks before the team of five professionals would be able to relocate helm of the small team of professionals and the hospital’s laboratory. to the newly refurbished and outfitted facility. We greeted our hosts “When I first arrived, what you see here was the best thing ever, but we have as they welcomed us to join them on a tour of the new space under grown, our population in the area has grown, the variety of services from the renovation. Michel Guinand, UNICEF’s Social Protection Specialist is lab has grown. Our space is no longer adequate.” new to Belize and this was his first trip to the area, seeing the work being executed by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Five professionals that include three lab technicians, herself as the and with the valuable funding from the PROBITAS Foundation of Spain. Supervisor who also serves as the Parasitologist, and one Phlebotomist Henrietta Fore succeeds Mr. Anthony Lake who left office on 31st who doubles as a Microscopist, comprise the small staff that offer December, 2017 after serving UNICEF for seven years in that post. diagnostic services in this government facility serving the 75,000 people “This was our conference room,” stated the Hospital Administrator Nerissi of the entire southern Belize. Ms. Joseph spoke with such pride; pride Castro. Ms. Castro is the Administrator of the adjoining Dangriga that she makes no apologies for insisting that each of her staff displays. PolyClinic and now as well of the Southern Regional Hospital. She It is apparent she has been able to shepherd the team well. That pride explains that the relocation of the laboratory was necessary as the was clearly observed as the technicians current space is tight and cramped. She along with the Chief of Staff
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extended service to the people. The Phlebotomist Ms. Olympia Ramclam She looked at me and explained that as a Supervisor she spends very was preparing a patient for a blood donation. She worked quietly but little time in an office behind a desk, but believes in pitching in, helping diligently putting her patient at ease as she prepared to draw blood. with the work. She is particularly detailed with her supervision and evaluations of staff, explaining that she conducts written and practical The patient, Mr Lindy Cadle had traveled the two and a half hours from tests for her staff. Ms. Joseph insisted that even as their formal deeper in the south – Independence Village to make this blood donation. education is complete, she and her staff must stay informed; must keep “It is a good thing we have this hospital,” he said. “I am here to help reading and researching; ensuring that they are aware of the latest my aunt who is to have a surgery.” His aunt is a senior citizen who development and information in each of the specific technical areas had been admitted to the hospital earlier in the week and awaiting her and their training must be ongoing. surgery. The blood donation was being made in the event she needed such. Recently, the data from the laboratory through its parasitology studies and testing led by Ms. Joseph established that there was a parasite The medical services in Independence Village are met by a PolyClinic infection problem for children in the area. “This data supported the that is equipped only with a general practitioner, who must serve all work of the national Maternal and Child Health Unit in the Ministry of patients no matter the illness. Surgeries can’t be accommodated at Health. Because we were able to provide the evidence to demonstrate that facility. Clients in need of that specialized care must travel to the this problem, the Maternal and Child Health Unit conducted de-worming regional hospital. This means any visiting family member or person programs across the primary schools in the entire area,” she said, most acting as a blood donor to support that specific surgery must also travel proud of the impact this has had on children’s health. to the Southern Regional Hospital’s laboratory to be able to make the extraction. Her closing words are as impactful as her work.
As I spoke with her staff and client, Ms. Joseph observed. I turned to “This is not just a job… it is an her and asked if the cramped space, work load and high expectation are opportunity to educate. Our work is not too much stress. She responded with enthusiasm, “No! What we do is of great value to our people. I encourage my staff that we must be valuable to the overall health of our ready to serve all the time. We must love what we do and be happy to do community.” our work, doing it with professionalism, insisting on quality all the time.”
Ms. Olympia L. Ramclam - Microscopist draws blood from patient to support a relative receiving medical care
PHOTO BY DAEDRA ISAACS-HAYLOCK
11 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE:
MAKING THE LAW ACCESSIBLE AND WORK FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE…
LIVING WITHOUT KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS IS LIKE LIVING WITHOUT FREEDOM… ADAPTED FROM JOSEPH RATZINGER (POPE BENEDICT XVI FROM HIS BOOK SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY
“It has been a great experience in being able to assist people who otherwise would not have been able to obtain legal advice, either due to finance or geography,”
-says attorney Ms. Baja Shoman who has been at the Legal Advice and Service Center for almost six years. Baja Shoman - Attorney at the Legal Services Office consults with client.
he nationwide free legal clinics commenced in August 2017 and Development Agency (CIDA). Today, the Center is funded completely Thave traveled from the deep south of the country to the west and by the Belize Bar Association. now the north, setting up shop in vulnerable communities offering The idea of the traveling legal clinics was born out of the collaboration services to people who, as Ms. Shoman said, are ill able to afford such that UNICEF has with the Belize Supreme Court and aims to improve the services with are often far-removed from their homes and available only institutional framework for legal services, with the goal of making legal in urban centers. The services include advice on family matters and assistance more accessible and the Court system more responsive child custody, divorce and alimony and child maintenance issues, civil to the most vulnerable. This specific initiative of free legal clinics is matters having to do with labour, or criminal matters of immigration and made possible through a funding from the European Union for a project even issues where children have come in conflict with the law. entitled, “Creating an Enabling Environment for the Protection of Children from Violence and Abuse”. Belize has a Legal Advice and Service Center with a staff of four “The free legal clinic was a special request from the Chief Justice His attorneys (all resident in Belize City) who offer services at a subsidized Lordship Kenneth Benjamin,” said Child Protection Officer Michelle rate. Such services exist only in Belize City, Belmopan and Orange Walk. Segura. “The idea is to offer some relief where a huge gap has been The Legal Aid Center was opened in 1981 in Belize City to serve the realized. People need access to legal advice and not being able to legal needs of the poor. The Center provides legal advice, assistance, afford the services of an attorney leaves then most vulnerable and at referral and representation geared towards low-income persons. The a huge disadvantage.” type of service provided by the center depends largely on the type of legal problems facing the individual client. In general, case support is When asked about the observations as they met with the people, the provided around family, land, civil and estate matters. attorneys remarked that people need help with information as basic as what services are available for them at the different government Others are referred to an agency or service which can more departments and agencies to as complex as needing a lawyer to stand appropriately resolve their immediate crisis or long-term problems. up for them in court. “Most noticeable is that persons do not know The Legal Aid Center was initially funded by international partnerships their rights,” remarked Ms. Baja Shoman. “The legislations are written with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in a manner not easily understood and it is clear that there must be the Caribbean Justice Improvement Project (CJIP), the Canadian a program to build their awareness through a simplified and easily University Services Overseas (CUSO), and the Canadian International understood format.”
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It has been seven months since the traveling free legal clinics She also shared about cases involved support through representation commenced and most of the instances have been simple cases, which and advocacy to help families access and navigate the justice system could have been easily disposed of had people known their rights or able to ensure protection of their children. to afford and have access to legal advice in their immediate community. The lessons from the free legal clinics are clear. Our vulnerable families This is especially important for the far-flung communities in the South. and children need the valuable assistance of persons knowledgeable of And Ms. Shoman says, “One possible solution may be to informing rights and the laws. “Clearly the traveling free legal clinics are a good the village Alcaldes in the Mayan communities who play a valuable thing. There is need for the clinics to occur more often - at least once a leadership role or in other cases village elders and community leaders. year,” says Ms. Shoman. Even as she admits that, a concern remains, We recognize we need to be careful as we do not want them giving that of the availability of financial and human resources to ensure the legal advice and for the advice given not be accurate, but the basic continuity of the initiative. information as to people’s rights and which government departments Despite the limitations of resources, she closes by saying, “We have and agencies can assist them in resolving challenges is essential.” been able to feel gratified in educating citizens of the country. It Having returned to Belize almost six years following her legal training, allows us to understand the needs for the legal services in far flung Ms. Shoman signed up to work for the Centre, providing free legal communities in the country and for our people who most need it.” services. She was reflective as she responded to examples of cases that were most impactful to her as a legal professional. She spoke of a case where she had helped a mother successfully register her baby as a first step in regaining custody of her child.
Ms. Natsha Espat – Attorney at the Legal Advice and Service Center consult with a client
13 Issue # 3, June 2018 WWW.UNICEF.ORG/BELIZE ON THE HORIZON…
GIVING A VOICE TO THE YOUTH – THE COMING OF U-REPORT BELIZE U-Report is a tool that maintains anonymity, confidentiality and credibility with adolescents, while receiving their views and recommendations on critical social issues. It is operated by NGOs, CSOs, youth organizations and UN agencies. In 2017, Belize hosted a one-day workshop on U-Report targeting main stakeholders and youths from the different municipalities. The workshop highlighted both the benefits of the platform as well as potential challenges it would face in Belize. Most valuable is that issues in Belize, such as Access to Justice, Adolescent health, Child Friendly Municipalities and Emergencies can be discussed through engaging youths on the U-Report platform, with a view to generate aggregated data useful to design policies. As a next step, UNICEF developed key national partnerships with the National Committee for Families and children (NCFC), Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Digicell and SMART (key telecommunications providers) the Sustainable Child Friendly Municipality Initiative of the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development. As well, a contract is ongoing with Ilhasoft (a technical team in Brazil). Mellissa Rivero is the identified U-Report Belize consultant leading the development and launch of U-Report Belize.
Over the years, there have been growing concerns among government and non- governmental organizations (NGO) on addressing the varied social issues and challenges facing children, adolescents and the country. The need for quality, disaggregated, regularly collected data has been mentioned in all national strategic planning documents. U-Report Belize is a credible response by UNICEF and its partners ideal for engaging the young persons and fielding the information and data needed to inform policy making and programme determination. U-Report Belize will see the implementation of a social media-based application that will allow Belizeans (youth) to timely communicate, share information and opinions non-exclusive but intended to empower young people. The official launch of the tool is expected for July this year.
Photos by: Daedra Isaacs-Haylock Mellissa Rivero - UNICEF Belize U-Report Consultant poses with our first U-Reporters
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Photo by: Ignite Ltd. Photo by: Ignite Ltd. UNICEF SOUTH/SOUTH EXCHANGE Later this year, UNICEF will be hosting technical officers from the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) representing Anguilla, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and Nevis. The south-south collaboration with the UNICEF Barbados Country Office will support the region in rolling out of Care for Child Development (CCD) within their own country programmes. Representatives from CARICOM, PAHO/WHO and the OECS are slated to join the delegation. This collaboration builds on initiatives commenced in May 2017 with a regional training for CCD, a parent intervention programme for Early Childhood Development (ECD) trainers from the three different government ministries for health, education and human development.
Denise Robateau, UNICEF ECD and Education Specialist in Belize is working with Shelly-Ann Harper - ECD Specialist in UNICEF Barbados to prepare for this south-south exchange. Shelly-Ann Harper has shared that the ECA is working to strengthen the ECD programme in communities for the most vulnerable in the Eastern Caribbean. The goal now is to roll out this programme within our own programmes, even in times of emergencies. The focus of this south-south collaboration will be for the delegates to view the best practices of the ECD multi-sectoral strategy in Belize, with a focus on capacity building in two new areas in Care for Child Development. New areas now included are on violence prevention and supporting families exposed to the Zika virus and other disabilities. The participants will have the opportunity to learn from parenting programmes in Belize, where CCD is integrated.
Photo by: Ignite Ltd.
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